Free The Persistence of Memories - A Novel of the Mendaihu Universe by Jon Chaisson Page A

sides and no closer to a real and lasting peace. The
violence would only continue and escalate until one or the other
would call a truce. And this was his downfall: he could come
up with no better plan.
    What is on your mind? Ampryss said
from within. He glanced over, noticed her still talking to the
others out loud. It still amazed him that Elders could carry on
multiple conversations like that. Her inner attention was focused
solely on him, and awaited an answer.
    I don't think Denni's in full control, he said. There's a chance she may never gain it.
    Ampryss faltered momentarily in her spoken
words, only continuing after a quick beaded glance at Nehalé. Why do you say this?
    Unless she chooses to learn in her own way
how to emulate the other eight embodiments, perhaps learn from
their pasts, her strength is finite. I agree, gathering the Elders
and dispatching them around the area to protect her and to be at
her beck and call is a good idea...but it will only prolong the
inevitable.
    Ampryss said nothing. In fact, she had
stopped talking aloud, and sat rock still, staring out into the
space in front of her, pursing her lips in frustration. Nehalé
could sense anger rising out of her, directed first at him, but
quickly deflected back at herself.
    “...and just how do you propose we push
things forward, edha Usarai?” she said icily. “We are Watchers and
Protectors. We cannot interfere unless it is to defend the lives
and the spirits of others.”
    Nehalé stared at her, nonplussed. Bless it,
how could she be this stubborn at a time like this? Was it out of
tradition that these Elders always reacted to events, rather than
prevent them? He certainly wasn't one to follow tradition. He'd
awakened Bridgetown out of necessity, because he knew a war was
coming soon and no one, not even the Elders had done anything to
prevent it from happening.
    He'd interfered, why couldn't they?
    “Why not, emha? The dawn of another war
between the Mendaihu and the Shenaihu is coming, and coming soon , and all we’re doing is talking! Think of the past,
Ampryss...two of the embodiments of the One died because of we did
nothing. I'm not about to make Denni the third, Ampryss. I won’t
let that happen.”
    Her eyes narrowed at him. “You can't —”
    “Denni is a young girl, damn it all!” he
barked. “Give her life , Ampryss. Give her the life she
deserves, not the stigma of death! She wants peace, just like any
of us. But we'd be equally to blame for her death if she isn't
ready to fight for it. Or don't you understand that?”
    The rest of the table had quieted down to
whispers and gasps as the other Elders focused in on their
argument. Had no one ever bothered to question the Great emha
Eprysia before? Ampryss' face reddened, almost to the same hue as
the hair framing her face, and she had to keep herself from lashing
out at him. The air around her was electric, ready to spark at any
moment, but she held it back. Slowly, grudgingly, she accepted his
message and unclenched her jaw. She blinked slowly and looked away.
He had made his point.
    “What do you propose, Nehalé?” she asked as
evenly as she could.
    “I propose we open her eyes. Give her the
opening she needs to learn from the past. Give her access. Give her
memories.”
    Ampryss glared at him. “You're asking about
giving her access to the sehna lumia, aren't you?” she said.
“You're certainly skirting a thin line, Nehalé. Those who visit
there can only access their own memories. They cannot access anyone
else's without permission.”
    “She'd be reaching the memories of the former
Ones of All Sacred,” he said. “In essence, she'd be accessing the
memories of her past selves. I see no rules broken here.”
    She winced at his weak attempt at twisting
her words, but said nothing in response. The other Elders leaned
forward, listening intently. Ampryss motioned for them to wait. “I
wish it were otherwise, but you've raised a valid point,” she said.
She turned